£7.2 million transformation makes ‘real difference’

A sheltered housing scheme in Middlesbrough has undergone a £7.2 million transformation aimed at creating safer, more modern homes for older residents.

Housing provider Thirteen partnered with regeneration specialist RE:GEN to deliver the refurbishment at Glastonbury House in Priestfields, which provides 91 homes for people aged 60 and over.

The programme included new fire safety measures, mechanical and electrical upgrades, improved security and CCTV, a sprinkler system and enhanced ventilation.

Residents have also benefited from upgraded bathrooms, kitchens and doors, alongside improvements to communal areas and full decoration.

The project was subject to a Building Safety Regulator application, helping ensure safety and compliance standards were met throughout the work.

RE:GEN also donated board games and garden planters as part of its social value commitment, while new garden furniture will provide additional space for residents to relax and socialise.

Dave Brown, managing director at RE:GEN North East, said: “Glastonbury House has been a significant project, not only in terms of the scale of investment and the improvements delivered for residents, but also the wider impact it has created in the local community.

“Creating jobs, skills and opportunities has been a key part of our approach.

“Working alongside RE:GEN Academy, we delivered two Route to Retrofit Skills Bootcamps in partnership with Thirteen’s Employability team – the first of their kind to be delivered in Tees Valley with funding from Tees Valley Combined Authority.

“Of the 18 people who completed the training, five have gone on to secure employment, including two Thirteen customers.

“It’s a fantastic outcome and demonstrates the real difference these opportunities can make.

“A huge thank you to the residents for their patience and support throughout the works, to the Thirteen team for their collaboration, and to our supply chain partners and everyone involved in delivering the programme.

“It’s been a real team effort, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together.”

To mark completion, Thirteen held a thank-you event for residents, featuring lunch and live entertainment from local performers Serenity Duo.

Claire Atkinson, investment area manager at Thirteen, added: "We’re committed to providing homes that are fit for the future, so we’re delighted to mark the completion of Glastonbury House and to celebrate the improvements with our customers.

"We know the work has caused some disruption at times and we're incredibly grateful for the understanding our residents have shown throughout.”

“The improvements have already made a real difference to customers' homes and shared spaces, helping people to live independently in a home they can feel proud of, while also feeling part of a community.”

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